Member Weekend at Arbor Day Farm Reinvigorates the Arbor Day Foundation’s Mission

Thanks to the whole group of you, we were treated royally!  You made this weekend so much more than expected – you are a great organization with a great vision - Janet Buetow

This summer, the Arbor Day Foundation invited a select group of long-time Foundation members to enjoy a hosted stay at Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Member weekend was an opportunity for our members to learn more about our programs and see our work come to life.

Members traveled from 15 states across the country and shared a collective 600 years of Foundation membership amongst them. The weekend was meaningful to us, Foundation staff, because it gave us a chance to learn more about each of our members, why they choose to support the Foundation year-after-year, and what it means to them. It was truly a special opportunity to understand our programs through the lens of a member and to learn their stories and what led them to share our passion for trees and conservation.

The weekend was filled with tours of Arbor Day Farm and in-depth sessions about programs like Rain Forest Rescue, Alliance for Community Trees, Give-A-Tree cards, Trees in Memory and Trees in Celebration, and reforestation. The reach of these programs wouldn’t be what it is without partners. Our corporate partners team shared information about our partnerships and the power of strategic collaborations. Our president Dan Lambe and chief executive Matt Harris met with members to personally thank them for their support and reminded us that our work isn’t possible without ongoing support from our members. We couldn’t do what we do without you.

But it wasn’t all business. We had a great time discovering the beautiful 260-acre Arbor Day Farm on a hayrack ride, wine-tasting from our very own orchards, and touring the historic Arbor Lodge Mansion — the original home of J. Sterling Morton. We commemorated the end of a wonderful weekend by planting a tree on the lawn of Lied Lodge, a lasting monument that will live here for years to come.

This past year has been a great year of growth for the Foundation. Member weekend was a chance for us to pause and thank the people who have helped us grow. It was also a chance to make new friends and create life-long memoires together.  It was an inspiring weekend for both Foundation members and staff who share a love of trees and an understand their ability to help solve some of our global issues.

Thank you to all our members, supporters, and partners who help bring our mission to life every day. Together, we are greening the world.